Cornelius Jacobsen May

Cornelius Jacobsen May was the Director of New Netherland from 1624 to 1625, preceding Willem Verhulst.

Biography
Cornelius Jacobsen May was born in Schellinkhout, Holland, the brother of Jan Mayen's namesake Jan Jacobszoon May van Schellinkhout. He took part in the 1614 Hudson River expedition in North America, and he was sent to explore and survey the Delaware Bay. Cape May, located in southern New Jersey, is named for May. In 1621, he ordered the construction of Fort Nassau at the mouth of Big Timber Creek, and he went on to serve as Director of New Netherland from 1624 to 1625. He brought the first Dutch settlers - mostly Walloon families - to settle New Netherland, and eight of the settlers established Fort Wilhelmus, while eighteen families proceeded upriver to Fort Orange.